Geneva, 24 May 2002 - ACT partner, Tonga National Council of Churches (TNCC), has commenced implementation of the rehabilitation programme for Victims of Hurricane Waka. The funds received thus far are sufficient to construct 5 hurricane proof houses.
The following steps were taken to decide where the houses would be built and for which families. This was not an easy process as many more families still hope to receive assistance.

• In consultation with Caritas it was agreed that the 5 families would be selected from villages other than those

CHURCH WORLD SERVICE
EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROGRAM
EMERGENCY APPEAL: Tonga/Hurricane Waka

#6513 for $20,000

March 4, 2002

SITUATION: Cyclone Waka in December 2001 caused extensive damage to the islands of Vava'u and Niuafo'ou (Tongo). The storm inflicted massive damage to residential houses, community halls, church buildings and commercial buildings both in Vava'u and Niuafo'ou. Particularly hard-hit were widows, the elderly and those with little income living in old and poorly constructed dwellings.

RESPONSE: The Tonga National Council

Appeal Target: US$ 230,412
Balance Requested from ACT Network: US$ 166,361

Geneva, 28 February 2002

Dear Colleagues,

Tropical Cyclone Waka formed on the north west of Wallis Island on 29 December 2001. From there it moved in a south westerly and then south easterly direction towards the Tonga group gaining strength as it approached Niuafo'ou, followed by Vava'u. Around midnight of 30 December 2001, TC Waka was "on top" of Niuafo'ou and late evening of 31 December it struck Vava'u before continuing

Ref: OCHA/GVA - 2002/0017
OCHA Situation Report No. 2
Tonga - Tropical Cyclone Waka
29 December - 31 December 2001

This report is based on information provided by the Tonga National Disaster Management Office (NDMO), as well as the OCHA Regional Disaster Response Advisor for the Pacific in Suva, Fiji, IFRC's information bulletins, and media reports.

On 21 January 2002, the authorities of the Kingdom of Tonga made an official request to OCHA for funding assistance towards relief items and transportation to the affected areas.

Situation and Losses

17 JANUARY 2002 SUVA (Pacnews) -- The US Embassy in Fiji has donated US$25,000 to the Tongan Government for cyclone relief.

The US funds will be used primarily to replace foodstuffs destroyed by the storm, said US Charge d'Affaires Ron McMullen. According to Tongan Prime Minister 'Ulukalala Lavaka-Ata, Cyclone Waka was the worst to hit Tonga since 1961..."

PNS (ENDS)

Copyright (c) 2002 Pacific Islands Broadcasting Association

Tropical Cyclone Waka battered the South Pacific Kingdom of Tonga with windspeeds of up to 250 km per hour on New Year's Eve, destroying homes and crops, the Tonga Red Cross Society (TRCS) immediately swung into action, distributing plastic sheeting, hurricane lamps, and cooking utensils from its stock of relief items. According to Red Cross/ National Disaster Committee assessments in the Vava'u island group, 300 km north of the Tongan capital of Nuku'alofa, the homes of 320 families have been severely damaged or destroyed, with another 300 to 400

Joint media statement 11 January 2002

A New Zealand Air Force Hercules will fly to Tonga tomorrow to deliver emergency relief following Cyclone Waka, which struck the islands last week.

Emergency supplies will be distributed to Niuafo'ou and Vava'u, the areas most severely affected by the Cyclone.

Buildings on both island groups, including several schools, have sustained serious damage from Cyclone Waka. In Vava'u, about 300 homes were destroyed and a further 600 damaged. Cash crops have been ruined and Vava'u's electricity supply has been seriously disrupted.

Tonga's disaster recovery effort has been hampered by communications difficulties following Cyclone Waka.

The Cyclone tore through the north of the Kingdom, hitting the northernmost island of Niuafa'ou and the tourist centre of Vava'u, where 60 to 70 percent of the buildings have been damaged and almost all fruit trees and root crops have been destroyed.

The head of Tonga's Disaster Office, Mailu Takai, says it's been difficult getting an accurate damage assesment.

"Well we are doing the best we can, I think we are, I personally think we are a bit slow but we are doing the

The winter storms that have pounded the southeastern part of the United States have left homes currently under construction or rehabilitation in North Carolina without electricity. Electricity is expected to be restored before the next volunteer teams arrive. Much construction remains to be done to complete the recovery from Hurricane Floyd. Volunteer teams are desperately needed.
Volunteers are also needed in Houston, Texas to continue to recovery from Tropical Storm Allison. Ten teams a week are required to complete the work. Volunteers in both North Carolina